Guyana’s Parliament gives more legal recognition Common-Law Unions

Guyana’s Parliament has corrected a 20 year-old omission, according to the country’s Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Anil Nandlall.

He was speaking to the legislative amendments he piloted today, that seek to give more legal rights to spouses and children of common law unions.

Nandlall in successfully piloting the piece of Government Legislation, reminded that common law unions have been in existence from since the dawn of time, and said that for those that believe, reaches as far back as the Garden of Eden.

Nandall was adamant that amended law will for the first time in country’s history accord to a spouse in a common law union, the right to access benefits afforded those that are legally married, under the Marriage Act.

The Alliance for Change (AFC) while being represented in the House yesterday did not speak to the amendment and A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU) James Bond commended the move by the administration.

“It is commendable and the Legal Affairs Ministry should be congratulated on this effort,” said Bond who is himself a practicing lawyer.